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| Staff Writer |
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Claiborne Farm’s rich history includes racing goliaths such as Seabiscuit and Secretariat and for Bernie Sams he has come from beginnings unlinked to the industry to be a key heavy hitter in the world of bloodstock.
Nestled in the heartland of champion craftsmanship, Claiborne Farm emerges as the sacred grounds where legends are born. Its hallowed past boasts an illustrious lineage of triumph, with ten Kentucky Derby victors and six of the revered Triple Crown conquerors tracing their origins back to the majestic Claiborne stallions where champions like Seabiscuit and Secretariat reign supreme. Unfurling its legacy like a tapestry of grandeur, over 300 champions have galloped their way to glory under the esteemed banner of this extraordinary haven.
Claiborne Farm has worked for over a century to not only establish but maintain a reputation as a world leader of breeding and bloodstock.
In the year 1910, a visionary named Arthur B. Handcock laid the foundation of a Farm that would forever be revered as a true guardian of the thoroughbred industry. Embracing the sacred ethos of stewardship, every breath the Farm inhales and exhales echoes its unwavering commitment to honour and protect the land, the majestic horses, and the essence of this unparalleled sport.
Embodied by the undeniable spirit of the Hancock legacy, Seth "Walker" Hancock Jr., emerged as the embodiment of his family's profound heritage. As the fourth-generation heir to the reins of Claiborne, his presence pulsates with an aura of unparalleled connection.
Amidst the tapestry of Claiborne Farm’s storied past, Bernie Sams, the farm’s Bloodstock and Stallion Manager, has established his indomitable presence in the realm of bloodstock—a true heavyweight contender in a world of giants. His bond with Hancock Jr. unfolded into an extraordinary opportunity of a lifetime for Sams.
“I came to work at Claiborne in the fall of 2003 Seth Hancock and I were friends and he needed someone to come in and help with the stallions,” He recalls.
“Claiborne Farm is the pinnacle of the business with its rich history and tradition, it’s an amazing place to work.
“I used to tell people it’s like going to work at Disney World.”
“I grew up in Louisville Kentucky, which is about 75 miles from Lexington,” he said.
“I didn’t grow up in a thoroughbred family but rode horses at a young age.
“I got involved with thoroughbreds while I attended the University of Kentucky.
His son however is now involved in the industry, following in his father’s footsteps, working for some giants of the industry.
“He is in college and has worked the last few summers for Christophe Clement at Belmont Park and James Ferguson in Newmarket.”
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Sams recalled where it started in the industry for him, straight out of school.
“I started working on various farms in central Kentucky straight out of school,” he said.
“I worked at Wimbledon Farm, Gainesway Farm with stallions, Haras de Roiville in France, Manchester Farm Lexington, and Overbrook Farm.
“That would have been my farm experience.
“I then went to work for Barry Weisbord at Matchmaker Breeders Exchange which was an auction house for season and shares in stallions.
“That was where I started to learn the bloodstock end of the business.”
However, the unexpected trailblazer defies the industry by redefining his role as Stallion Seasons and Breeding Manager by answering a number of calls, not just that of bloodstock management.
“My role at the farm has been a little bit of everything.
“My main job is assisting in buying and syndicating new stallions and then managing those stallions. “
He also has acted on behalf of clients in purchasing mares to introduce into breeding programs, with the purchase of Group 1 winner Sweet Lady, a mare by Lope De Vega, who was bought at Deauville last December for €2.05 million.
The bay 4YO has victories in the G1 Prix Vermeille, G2 Prix Corrida, G3 Prix de Flore and Listed Prix La Camargo to her name. Being a half-sister to listed winner Toujours l'Amour and out of dual stakes winner High Heel Sneakers, who ran second in the G2 May Hill S. and third in the G3 Prix Vanteaux during her racing days, the price was warranted.
“I also help with clients’ meetings, purchasing at the various sales as well at private purchase,” he added.
“I can also help with hotel rooms, race day tickets, or whatever needs to be done.
“I am here to help with anything that needs to be done.”
Having now been with Claiborne for two decades, Sams is not only passionate about the establishment and his role but also what drives him every day to succeed.
“I think I enjoy it the most when the stallions are doing well and getting quality runners.
“That’s when you see what you have been able to accomplish.
“It is BIG your reputation is all you have so you don’t want to mess it up.
“You must try and do the very best you can every day to help improve the breed.”
Leading From The Front Is No Battle For Top Stallion
Claiborne upholds an unwavering pride in the lineage of their stallions, each sired by remarkable stallions from the farm. They meticulously craft the next generation of stallions from within their gates, ensuring a multi-level heritage that is beyond compare. This profound commitment to excellence sets them apart, shaping the noble and resplendent creatures that grace the starting gates of iconic races around the world.
Blame is a prime example of this who currently stands at the Farm having been sired by Arch who won five of his seven starts while amassing $480,990 in prize money along the way.
Blame had a career of 13: 9-2-2 including wins in the Whitney Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2010 and won $4.3 million dollars in prize money. In his stud career so far, he led all first-crop sires at both the Saratoga Select Yearling Sale ($1.36 million sales) and the Keeneland September Yearling Sales in 2013, with his 28 sires selling for an average of $194,357.
“Blame was bred and owned With Adele Dilschneider and has been a farm favourite sine he was born,” the Bloodstock Manager said.
“Having won the Breeders’ Cup Classic was a highlight for the entire farm.”
The bloodstock stallion program is led by War Front, the son of three-time top sire in North America for three years straight, 1991-1993, in Danzig.
War Front was retired in 2006 and sent to stud at Claiborne, he has gone on to sire winners across the globe that include Sweet Orange (Hong Kong Classic Mile), Declaration of War (Queen Anne Stakes, International Stakes), Hit It A Bomb (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf), Homesman (Underwood Stakes, Australian Cup) and Omaha Beach (Arkansas Derby, Santa Anita Sprint Championship, Malibu Stakes).
“War Front has been at the top of the international stallions ranks for some time now,” Sams said proudly.
“He belongs to a long-time client of the farm, Joe Allen, which has been very rewarding.
“War Front has really been big for the farm.
“We have several of his daughters being retiring back here as well as War of Will who is off to a good start as a farm stallion.
“War of Will has done well with his offspring that have gone thru the sales ring so far. Early indication for him is good.
“I think the day that really pushed War Front over the top was when he had two winners at Royal Ascot.
“I don’t think I have ever gotten so many congratulatory notes ever before for a stallion.
“Unbridled was very good but just didn’t have the international flare.”
“I think the generations of families raised here is what makes Claiborne special”. Sams said.
“The farm has been in the Hancock family for over 110 years.
“They have raised so many quality horses for Claiborne as well as a number of farm clients over the years.
“I think the generations of stallions are pretty remarkable when you go back to Pincequillo, Nashrulla, Round Table, just to name a few.
“Since I have been here the farm has stood Pulpit, Arch, Blame, Flatter, Lea, to name a few that they raced, raised, or bought to race.
“We also have several young promising stallions in War of Will, Silver State, and several others.
The future of stallions and the bloodstock program at Claiborne looks promising and looks to ensure they remain an international leading benchmark in the industry.
“I just think the history of Claiborne Farm is second to none.
“There are a number of great stud farms around the world but none that have stood the test of time like Claiborne.”
Cloaked in the echoes of time, Claiborne Farm stands as an indomitable fortress of excellence, resiliently carving its mark for more than a century. A beacon of ambition and a beacon of inspiration, it beckons forth those who dare to dream. And in this grand tapestry of triumph, Sams hears the clarion call of a race unlike any other - a race worthy of the Farm's unwavering devotion, a race that pulsates with the promise of immortality.
“I think of the races the farm hasn’t won; Seth would like to win the Kentucky Oaks.
“It’s a top filly race we haven’t been able to win so it stands out.”
With a bloodstock program that continues to produce fillies in the upper echelon of class, the Farm is sure to see a winner salute in the feature for 3YOs in hopes of securing the US$750,000 purse for the winner.
By Rowan Anderson